Five-time World Champion bullfighter Rob Smets joins the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast to share the incredible journey that made him one of the most respected names in rodeo.

Rob takes us from his childhood growing up around the world, to discovering rodeo, earning his PRCA card as a teenager, and shocking the sport by winning the Cow Palace and the U.S. Cowboy Bullfighting Championship during his rookie season. Along the way, he shares the mindset, preparation, and split-second decision making that separates great bullfighters from everyone else.

We also dive into:

• How boxing, football, and rugby shaped his bullfighting style
• Why bullfighting is far more technical than most people realize
• The psychology behind protecting bull riders
• The physical and mental cost of a career in the arena
• Funny stories from the road—including how one of his bulls got the name "Blackberry"
• Teaching the next generation through the Rob Smets Bullfighting School
• What it really takes to become a professional in one of rodeo's most dangerous jobs

Whether you're a lifelong rodeo fan or just want to hear from someone who's spent a lifetime competing at the highest level, this episode is packed with stories, wisdom, and laughs.

Zack Oakes joins the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast to talk about a life spent chasing rodeo dreams, the realities of professional bull riding, and what happens when the ride finally ends. From hitchhiking to rodeos as a teenager to competing at the highest levels of the sport, Zack shares stories from the road, lessons learned the hard way, and why success in the arena doesn't always translate to success after the spotlight fades.

In this episode:

• Growing up in Oregon and getting started in rodeo
• Knowing when it was time to step away from bull riding
• Life on the road as a professional rodeo cowboy
• Making the NFR and the nerves behind the biggest stage in rodeo
• Winning over $1 million and the financial mistakes that followed
• Why many athletes struggle after their careers end
• Sponsorships, agents, and the business side of rodeo
• The difference between old-school cowboys and modern rodeo athletes
• Wild stories from military appearances and life on tour
• The mental game of competing when everything is on the line
• What Zack wishes he'd known at 20 years old

If you've ever wondered what life is really like behind the chutes—or what comes after the dream—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast
Real Horses. Real Ranch. Real Talk.

In this episode of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, Craig Moore returns for an honest conversation about horses, business, branding, and the realities of trying to build something that lasts.

We dive into the challenges of creating BKR Ranchwear, what separates premium apparel from simple merch, and why competing with established brands isn't as easy as it looks. The conversation then shifts to the horse industry, where Craig shares his perspective on training horses, selling horses, and the harsh financial realities that many horse owners never see.

We also discuss the impact of social media success, the pressure to constantly chase viral moments, and why authenticity matters more than highlight reels. If you've ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of a growing ranch operation, this episode pulls back the curtain.

• The difference between merchandise and premium apparel
• Why BKR Ranchwear offers a "You Rip It, We Replace It" guarantee
• Competing with brands like Poncho, Ariat, and Wrangler
• The hidden economics of horse training and horse sales
• Craig's experience training and selling Mustangs
• Why some horses sell quickly while others never gain traction
• The dangers of chasing viral content
• Building a business without losing authenticity
• Lessons learned from scaling a horse program too quickly
• What the future may hold for Black Knuckle Performance Horses

Whether you're a horse owner, trainer, entrepreneur, or just someone trying to build something meaningful, this episode delivers plenty of hard-earned lessons and real-world insight.

In this episode of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, the crew sits down with John Clinch of Clinch Colt Co. to talk colt starting, cutting horses, cow horse training, and the realities of building a successful horse training business.

John shares his approach to developing two-year-olds, why most horse owners underestimate how long quality training actually takes, and how he built a program focused on preparing young horses for the cutting and cow horse world. The conversation also covers networking within the horse industry, ranch life, social media, horse pricing, and the challenges trainers face when balancing customer expectations with what horses truly need.

Along the way, the guys swap stories about ranch cats, horse sales, training philosophies, and why there may be more opportunity in the horse industry than most people realize.

• How John Clinch built Clinch Colt Co.
• Colt starting vs. finished horse training
• Why great horses take years, not weeks
• Cutting horses and cow horse development
• The business side of horse training
• Customer expectations vs. reality
• Horse pricing and today's market
• Networking within the horse industry
• Ranch life, ranch cats, and social media
• The future of horse training programs

John Clinch is the owner of Clinch Colt Co. in Hico, Texas, where he specializes in colt starting and developing young horses for the cutting and cow horse industries. His program focuses on building solid foundations that prepare horses for success at the next level of competition.

• Black Knuckle Ranchwear
• Black Knuckle Performance Horses
• Matrix Reformed
• Black Knuckle Land Management

In this episode of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, we sit down with horse trainer and competitor Craig Moore to talk horsemanship, ranch trail competitions, colt starting, and what it takes to build horses that can perform in the real world.

Craig shares his journey from high school rodeo and horse training to an unexpected detour into competitive golf before finding his way back to horses. The conversation dives into the realities of training horses, competing in events like Road to the Horse, and the challenges of creating horse competitions that are both competitive and welcoming for riders of all skill levels.

The crew also discusses the future of the Black Knuckle Ranch Trail Course Series, judging challenges, how to keep events fair and fun, and why making horse events approachable for newcomers is critical to growing the industry.

• The success of the first Black Knuckle Ranch Trail Course event
• How judges influence competition outcomes
• Timed events vs. judged events
• Creating a welcoming environment for new riders
• Craig Moore's path into professional horsemanship
• Lessons learned from Road to the Horse
• Golf, horses, and expensive hobbies
• The importance of practical horsemanship
• Ideas for growing the Black Knuckle Ranch Buckle Series
• Why obstacles and ranch trail events continue to grow in popularity

Craig Moore of Moore Horsemanship is a professional horse trainer known for colt starting, obstacle training, ranch versatility, and helping riders build practical, confident horses. Craig has competed in major colt-starting competitions and brings a practical, no-nonsense approach to horsemanship.

• Black Knuckle Ranchwear — Tough cotton twill shirts built for real work. You rip it, we replace it.
• Matrix Reformed
• Black Knuckle Performance Horses
• Black Knuckle Land Management

Follow for weekly episodes covering horses, ranching, business, and western lifestyle.

Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast: Real Horses, Real Ranch, Real Talk.

The ranch got hit with a $3,750 scam… and that kicked off a full conversation about credit cards, cashless society, and why ranchers still trust cash.

Meanwhile, the spring horse catalog is coming together, cattle are rotating across fresh pasture, and Billy explains exactly why he refused to start twerking on a colt with 12 rides.

It's another episode full of ranch business, horse training, grazing strategy, conspiracy theories, and absolute nonsense.

Matrix Reformed

BKR Ranchwear

Black Knuckle Ranch

In Episode 20 of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, we sit down with professional bull rider Guthrie Long to talk about what it actually takes to chase a career in bull riding—when you don't have the backing, the gear, or the easy road.

From sleeping at gas pumps waiting for a check to clear… to winning big on empty pockets… this one's packed with grit, humor, and hard-earned perspective.

• Driving across the country broke—and winning anyway
• The reality of chasing PBR vs PRCA opportunities
• Getting knocked out, broken bones, and still coming back
• Why staying healthy matters more than riding one more bull
• The difference between "holding on" and actually riding
• Inside the chute: why it's the most dangerous place to be
• Winning $12K with almost nothing in your pocket
• Sleeping at a gas pump waiting for money to hit your account
• Getting dragged, knocked out, and still arguing you made the ride 😂
• Missing out on thousands because nobody hit the challenge button
• Why bull riding is a dance, not just hanging on
• Riding with your feet vs relying on the rope
• How mindset, preparation, and experience separate riders
• Why the best riders don't panic—they react
• Competing with worn-out gear and no support
• Working a job and chasing bull riding at the same time
• The difference between top-tier pros and everyone else
• Why most people never make it

Feeling run down?
Matrix Reformed offers fully virtual testosterone therapy—labs included, no hidden fees, one simple monthly price.

You're not watching a highlight reel—this is real ranch life.

In this episode of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, the crew breaks down their first-ever ranch course show—what went right, what they'd change, and how it all actually played out behind the scenes.

From 70+ entries and an 8-hour day to losing a judge the morning of and still pulling it off, this one's packed with real lessons from the dirt—not theory.

• The reality of hosting your first ranch course event
• What worked (and what didn't) with timing, classes, and flow
• How small tweaks (like course design + time limits) can change everything
• Why "fun day" matters before scaling into a full buckle series
• Behind-the-scenes chaos—losing a judge and adapting on the fly
• Building momentum: upcoming events, clinics, and growth plans

We also dive into the early stages of BKR Ranchwear:

• Why this first drop is limited
• What goes into designing real working gear
• The struggle of getting authentic cowboy imagery (hint: not 4 guys carrying one bale 😂)
• Why details matter when building a legit brand
• Early demand and what's coming next

• Laying a horse down for training (and why it's not punishment)
• Mice vs. snakes vs. frogs… and who's actually scared of what
• Weather swings in Texas that make no sense
• The kind of conversations you only get sitting around after a long ranch day

Feeling run down?
Matrix Reformed offers fully virtual testosterone therapy—simple pricing, labs included, no BS.